Newbery Medal Winner

New Kid

by Jerry Craft

Summary

In this graphic novel, twelve year old Jordan Banks leaves his Washington Heights neighborhood to attend a prestigious private school where few students look like him. Jordan, who dreams of art school, sketches his way through the daily friction of code switching, microaggressions, and the search for real friendship as one of the few Black students. Jerry Craft uses warm, expressive art and sharp wit to explore race, class, and identity for a young reader.

Historical Context & Significance

New Kid was the first graphic novel ever to win the Newbery Medal.